Although many developments have been made in the design and development of learning object repositories (LORs), the efficient use of such systems is still questionable. Without realising the functional use of such systems or considering the involvement of their dynamic users, these systems would probably become obsolete. This study includes both…

A classification system that was developed for the use of agent-based models was applied to strategies used by school-aged students to interrogate an agent-based model and a system dynamics model. These were compared, and relationships between learning outcomes and the strategies used were also analysed. It was found that the classification system…

Today's hyper-connected students live in a world of instant interpersonal communications and virtually infinite access to information and educational resources. But this networked world, and the powerful learning tools it offers, has yet to penetrate the typical classroom. In many ways educational institutions are spinning their curricular wheels,…

Discusses the design of management information systems for secondary schools and presents a fundamental approach to systems design that was used for the development of SCHOLIS, a computer-assisted school information system for Dutch secondary schools. The importance of information system development methodologies is stressed. (LRW)

Presents reasons for choosing a connected computer system for student use in secondary schools. The systems approach is discussed; two alternatives are compared, a central computer and a local area network (LAN) of microcomputers; software is described; and two scenarios of LAN use are presented. (four references) (LRW)

The extent of school information systems (SIS) use, factors promoting successful SIS implementation, and the effects of SIS use were studied in Dutch secondary schools. Findings indicated that SIS use is not of the same intensity for all SIS modules and is not equally distributed across all types of respondents. (AEF)

This paper presents a World Wide Web-based infrastructure for cooperation between many different parties. The infrastructure is designed for Web-based competitions involving an editorial board, designers of assignments or events, evaluators, different organizational layers, and contestants. Web-CS is entirely Web-based: all the communication…

Sophisticated computerized school information systems (SISs) will have to provide school-based information relevant to the development of policies in areas where schools used to merely follow governmental guidelines. The large-scale research project in England, reported in this article, goes some way toward filling gaps in the knowledge on the…

Very little research is available nationwide that measures the administrative use of computers in rural schools. A state survey of 154 rural Kentucky secondary school principals (representing a 51% response rate) focused on their knowledge about computers and use of computers for school administrative purposes. Only 14% of respondents had a…

Discusses standards for the design and implementation of the electronic data networks developed for, and adopted by, the Pittsburgh Public Schools as district policy. Describes the layered approach which includes the physical layer, the protocol layer, and the application layer, and recommends hardware. A sidebar features court television in high…

Discussion of the process involved in information seeking focuses on studies of high school students that were conducted to determine how mental models for a print encyclopedia are adapted to a full-text electronic encyclopedia. Three case studies are analyzed, and recommendations for designers of electronic encyclopedias and instructional…

Reports on one of the first projects in the United Kingdom which used the Internet to link schools with their local career service. Results of evaluations by staff and pupils in four secondary schools are discussed in terms of design features, access and communication issues, and further recommendations for development. (Author/AEF)

The Learning Activity Packets (LAPs) contained in this manual are designed to assist the beginning user in understanding DOS (Disk Operating System). LAPs will not work with any version below DOS Version 3.0 and do not address the enhanced features of versions 4.0 or higher. These elementary activities cover only the DOS commands necessary to…

Describes an interactive computer game developed for secondary school students to promote the teaching of multiculturalism. Discusses contextual difficulties, content, design strategy, prerequisites established by the psychology of education, screen design, and question answering. (AEF)

Describes the integrated Intelligent Tutor, Environment and Manual for Introductory Programing (ITEM/IP), which supports a course on computer programing based on the minilanguage Turingal. Discussion covers system design, including design philosophy, system overview, concepts included and information structure, programing laboratory mode,…